Residents still without gas week after mains fire

Residents have been left without gas to their properties a week after a mains pipe caught fire.

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said a fire started in a gas main on Lowndes Way in Winslow at about 18:20 BST on 18 September, destroying a digger and leaving houses without a gas supply.

Since then, about 150,000 litres (33,000 gallons) of water have been pumped out of the fire-hit gas pipes.

In an update on Wednesday, the gas distribution company, SGN, told the BBC that about 90 homes were still without gas.

About 800 properties in total have been affected; the company had confirmed on Tuesday morning that 230 still had no gas power.

A spokesperson said an investigation was taking place; however, it was "too early" to understand the cause of the fire.

SGN, which was on site throughout Wednesday, said it was "confident" it would be able to turn the gas back on in "all domestic properties that we're able to access today".

It said in an update at 13:30: "We’re still encountering issues caused by water in service pipes and appliances, however, engineers are working to resolve these as we move through the community."

And then at 17:30, the company said that during the process of visiting properties to turn on gas supplies, it was not able to do this for all of them.

It said affected customers would be able to use showering facilities at Swan Pool and Leisure Centre on Thursday from 07:30 to 18:30. They are asked to take proof of their address.

The company said it would continue to provide updates.

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